Businesses Thrive, When Their People Do.

Businesses thrive, when their people do.?

Employees are the foundation of any organisation, as they can make or break the outcome of the business. This is why Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are important in ensuring that your employees are well taken care of with respect to their mental well-being.?

But first let us understand what an EAP is. An EAP is a programme that helps employees cope with personal concerns that may affect their job performance, health, and overall well-being. EAPs help employees address a wide range of problems that could potentially impact the individual’s performance and wellbeing. ? These could include mental health issues, financial or legal hassles, relationship concerns, major life events, family issues (among others).?

Employee Assistance Programmes help create a flexible and durable work culture - happy employees build a positive and efficient work environment.?

It can be overwhelming for an organisation to provide an EAP program internally, so it is usually outsourced to a third-party provider like a mental health organisation. These organisations address the gamut of employee wellbeing needs. The reason this approach works is as follows:?

• All-in-one approach : The EAP provider will organise a comprehensive EAP program that addresses a wide range of issues and is tailored to suit the needs of your company.?
• Ease of accessibility to resources - As part of the EAP, resources can be accessed through an online platform where employees can log in and have access to the programs according to their needs and requirements.?
• Anytime access - These resources will be available to the employees on a daily basis.?
• Confidentiality - There will be no breach of confidentiality about the employees availing these services. For example, for EAP programs that provide therapy services, efforts are made to ensure the employee’s privacy is protected.?
• Security - Anonymity is maintained to ensure that employees are comfortable.?

Benefits of EAPs in a workspace -?

• Increased productivity - When employees have a good way to express and cope with their personal stressors their levels of motivation and creativity at work is less likely to be hindered.?
• Reduces absenteeism -? With EAPs employees are given? space to prioritise their well-being. This boosts their physical and emotional wellbeing which limits leaves and irregular attendance at work.?
• Boosts retention - As EAPs support your employees well-being, they are likely to be more productive, engaged, and happy with their work. Employees are more likely to stay with companies that put their people first. Additionally, people are more likely to join companies where they know they will be treated well.?
• Positive Work Environment - A healthy work environment is facilitated when employee stress levels are at a minimum. This boosts overall motivation as well as loyalty towards the company.?
• Addressing systemic problems at the workplace : Depending on the specific program that is opted for, EAPs can also address gaps in knowledge and skills that may be contributing to problems at the workplace. For example, in fast-paced work environments, EAP providers can work with organisations to find strategies to address work overload and other issues. They can also offer training programs and workshops focused on equipping employees with helpful tools to manage their stress on a daily basis.?
• Morale - EAPs help in noticing and clarifying employees' concerns in the workplace which not only will improve morale but also directly impacts their working capacity. EAPs are a message to employees that the organisation is reliable and empathetic to their needs.?
• Safety - EAPs can help ensure that employees are maintaining their physical and mental health hence putting them in a place where they are safe.?
• Reduction in turnover - Turnovers always impact an organisation, EAPs can help identify problems faced by employees and also help in providing necessary solutions.?

EAPs are a cost efficient investment that offers significant gains to your employees and the organisation overall. The benefits of EAPs last well-beyond the duration of the program.?

We at The Mood Space believe it is important to ensure employee well-being is prioritised in an organisation. Our aim is holistic growth for employees which includes not only their professional growth but mental and emotional growth as well. We provide a safe space for employees to grow and understand themselves through services such as therapy sessions, workshops & webinars, support groups, newsletters, crisis management, evaluation reports and onsite counselling. If you’re organisation that aims to put your people first, reach out to us today!

By : Priyanka TS (Psychotherapist at The Mood Space)